Meet the Merchant: Tawfiq Halal Meat

PARSIPPANY — The owner of Tawfig Halal Meat, Victor, welcomed a visit from the Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Committee, accompanied by Video on the Go.

Tawfig Halal Meat is located at 88 North Beverwcyk Road, Lake Hiawatha.

In conjunction with Video on The Go Producer, Cinematographer, and Director Brian Satch,  Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Chairman Frank Cahill began working with local businesses within Parsippany to help publicize their business.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor said, “Parsippany businesses create job opportunities here in Parsippany. And add to the Township character. They also contribute to our charitable organizations. As Mayor of the Township Parsippany-Troy Hills, I ask you to #SHOP LOCAL, #SHOP PARSIPPANY.

The video will be aired on Public Access Channel 21 and included on the Township’s social media posts. In addition, Parsippany Focus will promote the videos as a free service to the Parsippany business community.

“In addition to working with the Administration on attracting new business to Parsippany, our committee is committed to working with current businesses and helping promote business within Parsippany,” said Cahill.

The service is free to any Parsippany business. Contact Frank Cahill at (973) 559-6000 for scheduling.

Democratic Candidates Unite Over Empanadas at Lively Picnic Event

PARSIPPANY — On a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon in Parsippany, the bustling Veteran Park became the vibrant setting for a lively picnic event that brought together the Democratic candidates and the local community. The aroma of freshly cooked empanadas filled the air, enticing participants and passersby to join the festivities.

Matt Clarkin served as the Master of Ceremonies (MC) during the gathering at Veterans Park.

Judy Hernandez, Bernard Clarkin, and Matt Kavanagh, the Democratic candidates running for Parsippany Council, eagerly mingled with the diverse crowd at the park. Excitement and camaraderie were palpable as people from different walks of life engaged in conversations and shared their hopes and aspirations for the community.

Amalia Duarte, Chair of the Morris County Democratic Committee, was seen holding a door hanger from the Hernandez, Kavanagh, Clarkin campaign while addressing the diverse crowd at Veterans Park.

Also joining were Jonathan Sackett for Morris County Commissioner; John Von Achen and Walter Mielarczyk for Assembly, Caroline O’Brien for Morris County Clerk and Amalia Duarte Chair of Morris County Democratic Committee.

The event’s main attraction, the empanadas, was a delightful conversation starter. Attendees flocked to the food truck, indulging in the mouthwatering variety of empanadas offered. As they savored the delicious treats, conversations flowed effortlessly, breaking down barriers and creating a sense of unity among all present.

John Von Achen, a candidate running for Assembly in Morris County, was also present at the gathering at Veterans Park.
Jonathan Sackett, who is running for the position of Morris County Commissioner, was among the attendees at the event at Veterans Park.
Caroline O’Brien, who is running for the position of Morris County Clerk, was also present at the Veterans Park gathering.

With her warm and approachable demeanor, Judy Hernandez connected effortlessly with the residents, listening attentively to their concerns and promising to advocate for their needs strongly.  Matt Kavanagh, known for his passion for community development, discussed his vision for a more sustainable and inclusive Parsippany. Bernard Clarkin, a charismatic and experienced leader, shared his ideas on enhancing education and public services.

Judy Hernandez, a Parsippany-Troy Hills Council candidate, took the stage to address the audience during the gathering at Veterans Park.

“Hope is contagious. I want to communicate the hope that if every one of us is inspired to act collectively, we can positively impact our future,” said Hernandez.

Judy Hernandez, a respected community member with a strong service track record, was gearing up for a significant role in the town’s future. Having lived in Parsippany for 24 years, she had already left a positive impact through her involvement on the Parsippany Planning Board, the Environmental Advisory Committee, co-founder and co-leader of the Parsippany Green Team, and the board for the Parsippany Child Day Care Center. Her experience and dedication made her a formidable candidate for the upcoming council elections.

Bernard Clark, another candidate for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council, was also part of the gathering at Veterans Park.

Another candidate, Bernard Clark, had deep roots in Parsippany, having called it home for 35 years. Although new to township politics, he possessed valuable expertise from running his small business for the past decade. As recognized by the election committee, his financial acumen and budgeting experience promised to be assets in managing the town’s affairs effectively.

Bernard Clarkin said, “Our team will win this council election! Win it by working harder and having a much better message than our opponents as we start knocking on doors in Parsippany this week. There will be no more massive 18% municipal tax increases or anything like that. I promise to bring my extensive financial background to the council to challenge the mayor and improve transparency. The green energy initiatives we will fight for will save the township money while improving our environment. I ask that you help us win by volunteering any time you can spare to help our campaign and get out the voters.”

Matt Kavanagh, a candidate for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council, also addressed the crowd during the gathering at Veterans Park.

Lastly, Matt Kavanagh, with a decade-long residence in Parsippany, was eager to contribute his passion for sustainability and environmental consciousness to the council. He had already demonstrated leadership as the co-founder and co-leader of the Parsippany Green Team. He held a significant role as the chief operating officer of an energy services company. His experience in the energy sector made him an advocate for smart and eco-friendly policies, making him an appealing choice for voters concerned about the town’s future. Matt’s qualifications extended beyond his role as the co-leader of the Parsippany Green Team and chief operating officer of an energy services company. His experience includes managing large corporate budgets similar in scale to that of Parsippany’s municipal budget. This additional expertise positioned him well to address the financial complexities and challenges the town might face, gaining further support from voters who valued his comprehensive skill set.

“A sustainable community is environmentally conscious, but also diverse, resilient, responsible with resources, financially savvy, and plans for the long run. That is absent in our township government right now, so I’ll focus on this for Parsippany’s long-term future,” commented Matt.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Former Council Member Janice McCarthy and John Von Achen

30 Lanidex Plaza West Declared Area in Need of Redevelopment

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council voted unanimously to declare 30 and 20 Lanidex Plaza West “an area in need of redevelopment.”

30 Lanidex Plaza was constructed in 1987. The building is 56,230 square feet and is 100% vacant. The building stands three stories and is a Class B office space. A typical floor is 17,119 square feet. The property contains 200 surface parking spaces.

On May 1, 2023, there was a public hearing and the Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board concurred and agreed with the reasons in the Preliminary Investigation that the property constitutes and meets the criteria under the LRHL supporting the recommendations that the property be determined and declared a non-condemnation in need of redevelopment.
 
Since the Township Council approved Ordinance 2023:09, adopting 20-30 Lanidex Plaza West Redevelopment Plan, the matter will be heard at the Planning Board, once the development submits an application.
 
Public Records show that on April 16, 2019, the property was purchased for $4,700,000 and is owned by 20-30 LANIDEX LLC SIGNATURE ACQ.
 
The land was originally part of a dairy farm owned and operated by Rudolf Olsen. The property next to 30 Lanidex contains a protected National Register house, the Livingston House.
 
Mr. Olsen proposed selling the land to Lanidex West, which was a ROL zone. These zones were promoted to increase ratables, without impacting the surrounding residential area. Some of the conditions set forth were the congruent design of buildings and the use of landscaping to minimize impacts. An additional requirement was that these zones could not be subdivided into smaller parcels.
 
Julia Peterson’s parents, in an effort to preserve the Governor Livingston House, sold the acreage used for 10 Lanidex. It was their hope that this would allow the area to remain relatively in line with the historic nature of their home. The adjacent Eastlake School property was donated to the town by Julia’s grandmother.
 
30 Lanidex was developed in 1987. The second building, 20 Lanidex, was proposed but never developed. 30 Lanidex was leased to Solix Corporation and over $2 million dollars of renovations were added to the building approximately fifteen years ago. Solix had over 400 employees working in the building and was required to provide additional parking, thus the second (20 Lanidex) was never developed.

In the course of the pandemic, Solix relocated to 10 Lanidex West. However, the developer/owner has struggled to secure tenants for the 30 Lanidex property. As a result, 30 Lanidex is currently unoccupied.

 

Consumer Affairs Settles with 22 Unregistered Employment Service Firms

PARSIPPANY — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced settlements with 22 employment/personnel service firms operating as unregistered businesses in the state.

The firms – whose services run the gamut from executive-level employment placements to hourly labor assignments – agreed to the settlements to resolve the Division’s investigation into whether their failure to register with the Division’s Regulated Business Section, as required by law, violated New Jersey’s consumer protection laws and regulations.

Under the settlement terms contained in 22 Consent Orders filed by the Division, the firms have assessed a total of $62,000 in civil penalties ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 each.

“Firms doing business in New Jersey must comply with the laws in place to protect the public and ensure compliance with industry standards, and that begins with being properly registered,” said Attorney General Platkin.

Professional Search Network, LLP, 900 Lanidex Plaza, Suite 245, a consulting firm providing temporary help services, was one of the 22 firms and was not registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs.

As part of the settlement, Professional Search Network, LLP, does not engage in any unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of its business in the State of New Jersey and must comply with all state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. They were also ordered to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs within thirty days.

The settlement amount consisted of a civil penalty of $2,000 as well as $1,500 as a “Settlement Payment.”

The mission of the Division of Consumer Affairs, within the Department of Law and Public Safety, is to protect the public from fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, and professional misconduct in the sale of goods and services in New Jersey through education, advocacy, regulation, and enforcement. The Division pursues its mission through its 51 professional and occupational boards that oversee approximately 750,000 licensees in the state, its Regulated Business section that oversees 60,000 NJ registered businesses, as well as through its Office of Consumer Protection, Bureau of Securities, Charities Registration Section, Office of Weights and Measures, and Legalized Games of Chance section.

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 to receive a complaint form by mail.

A complete list of companies that reached settlements with the Division are:

Name Primary Location(s) County
Alliance Sourcing Network Wayne Passaic
ATRIA Consulting Hamilton (Mercer County) Mercer
Coda Staffing Paramus Bergen
Expert Hiring Bridgewater Somerset
Freedom Specialty Services Westville Gloucester
Haley Stuart Group Montvale Bergen
Horizon America Vineland, Willingboro, Iselin Cumberland, Willingboro, Middlesex
Hudson IT Consultancy Hoboken Hudson
HW Staffing Taunton, MA N/A
Monroe Staffing Services, LLC Shelton, Connecticut N/A
NICSAM Personnel Clifton Passaic
Northeast Talent Solutions Passaic, West New York Passaic, Hudson
Professional Search Network Parsippany Morris
Renner Brown Edison Middlesex
Sharplink Staffing LLC Audubon, Vineland Camden, Cumberland
Specialty Staffing Mahwah Bergen
Staff Right Solutions Paterson, Bound Brook Passaic, Somerset
Stonehenge Resources, LLC Bedminster Somerset
Swipejobs Plainfield, Somerset Union, Somerset
Uniforce Staffing Solutions Paramus Bergen
Warehouse Labor Plainfield Union
Workflex/ MVP Staffing Deerfield, IL; Elizabeth, Trenton, and Vineland, NJ Union, Mercer, Cumberland

Video: Parsippany-Troy Hills Town Council Meeting – July 25, 2023

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Town Council Meeting – July 25, 2023.

Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. Council meetings are held at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.

Click here to download the agenda.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours before the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to request auxiliary aid.

Click here to download the 2023 agenda schedule.

Mayor and Council

Mayor James R. Barberio
Council President Loretta Gragnani
Council Vice-President Michael J. dePierro
Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.
Councilman Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella

Interfaith Picnic Unites Diverse Faiths in Parsippany Community

PARSIPPANY — On Sunday, July 23, the Parsippany Interfaith Council organized an interfaith picnic amidst the serene and wooded grounds of the Parsippany Presbyterian Church. The event was made possible by a generous grant from the United Methodist Bishops, which aimed to promote inclusion and diversity. Over 75 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Islamic, Jewish, Hindu, and Christian denominations, came together for this special occasion.

During the gathering, attendees could share and savor various ethnic foods, creating a delightful culinary experience celebrating cultural diversity. The event also facilitated bonding and interaction through fun-filled games and activities, helping people from different faiths mingle, engage, and forge new connections.

Fun-filled games and activities fostered bonds and connections among diverse faiths.
A momentous first step towards understanding, harmony, and unity among communities.

Overall, the interfaith picnic was a resounding success, offering a platform for participants to learn about each other’s beliefs, values, and traditions. It was a wonderful and momentous occasion, marking the first of many events to promote understanding, harmony, and unity among the diverse communities.

 
 

Meet the Merchant: Churrasco Grill

PARSIPPANY — The owner and chef of Churrasco Grill, Juan “Jose” Perez, welcomed a visit from the Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Committee, accompanied by Video on the Go.

Churrasco Grill is located at 137 North Beverwcyk Road, Lake Hiawatha.

To access Patrick Minutillo’s restaurant review, click here. Happy reading!

In conjunction with Video on The Go Producer, Cinematographer, and Director Brian Satch,  Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Chairman Frank Cahill began working with local businesses within Parsippany to help publicize their business.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor said, “Parsippany businesses create job opportunities here in Parsippany. And add to the Township character. They also contribute to our charitable organizations. As Mayor of the Township Parsippany-Troy Hills, I ask you to #SHOP LOCAL, #SHOP PARSIPPANY.

The video will be aired on Public Access Channel 21 and included on the Township’s social media posts. In addition, Parsippany Focus will promote the videos as a free service to the Parsippany business community.

“In addition to working with the Administration on attracting new business to Parsippany, our committee is committed to working with current businesses and helping promote business within Parsippany,” said Cahill.

The service is free to any Parsippany business. Contact Frank Cahill at (973) 559-6000 for scheduling.

 

Enhancing Total Knee Replacement with Robotic Technology at Saint Clare’s Health

MORRIS COUNTY — Total joint replacement is one of the most commonly performed elective surgical procedures in the United States. It is also becoming an increasingly popular outpatient procedure nationwide, including at Saint Clare’s Health in Denville. 

Orthopedic surgeons and the Saint Clare’s Health medical staff are combining robotic technology with industry-leading knee implants to help surgeons personalize surgical procedures for their patients for better outcomes. This robotic system enables surgeons to use computer and software technology to control and move surgical instruments, allowing for greater precision and flexibility during procedures.

Data is collected before and during surgery to inform your surgeon of details related to your unique anatomy that may affect your implant fit. Using this data to make more informed decisions, your surgeon can plan and perform personalized surgery based on your needs.

“At Saint Clare’s Health, we offer the most advanced technology to our patients to ensure faster recovery and better outcomes. Our specially trained surgeons are excited to have this option available to offer to their patients,” stated Brian L. Ulery, Chief Executive Officer of Saint Clare’s Health. “Our patients can receive high-quality compassionate care right in their community.”

A precise knee implant fit is critical to the comfort and overall experience following total knee replacement surgery. Benefits can include less pain, reduced scarring, reduced blood loss, and shorter recovery time.   

For more information on this robotic surgery, click here.

Discover CCM: Enroll for On-Campus Info Session and Tour

MORRIS COUNTY — Do you want to learn more about what CCM offers? Then join CCM for an interactive information session led by a CCM Admissions counselor, followed by a campus tour on Thursday, July 27, and Thursday, August 3, at 3:30 p.m.

Reserve a spot by going to ccm.edu.

Six Vehicle Break-Ins and One Theft in Overnight Spree

PARSIPPANY — Several vehicle break-in incidents occurred across different areas of Parsippany in the early hours of Sunday into Monday.

Six motor vehicles were broken into in the Hunting Ridge Complex (located at the corner of Route 46 and N. Beverwyck Road), Troy Hills Village Complex (located off of Route 46 West just West of Baldwin Road), and Sagamore Road (located off of Edwards Road).

During the same time frame, a vehicle was stolen from a residence on Sagamore Place. Shockingly, the vehicle had been left unlocked with the keys inside. However, the authorities recovered the stolen vehicle at the Red Roof Inn on Route 46 shortly after the incident.

It’s important to note that while locking your vehicle may not completely deter determined criminals, it is a crucial step you can take to contribute to crime prevention. Stay vigilant and secure your belongings.